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Division 8.01 — General Sign Provisions

Ontario Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Ontario

F. Interior Signs. Signs located entirely within a building, structure or complex of buildings, which are not visible from a public street or from other adjacent properties.

G. Menu Boards for Drive-In, Drive-Through, and Walk-Up Restaurants. Menu boards not exceeding 36 SF in area and 6 FT in height for drive-in, drive-through, and walk-up restaurants, not to exceed 2 menu boards per restaurant.

H. Building Plaques. The names of buildings and dates of erection and dedicatory, memorial or historical plaques not exceeding 4 SF in area, which are constructed of bronze or other nonflammable material.

I. Political Signs. Political campaign signs installed pursuant to Subsection 8.01.025.J (Political Signs) of this Division.

J. Posters and Bulletin Boards. Temporary posters on private property, not exceeding 4 SF in area, which are located in windows or on bulletin boards, advertising benefit activities and events sponsored by local nonprofit organizations.

K. Holiday Lights and Displays. Holiday lights and displays that do not advertise any business establishment, product, or other commercial activity, limited to 30 days within any 60-day period.

L. Real Estate and Construction Signs. Temporary real estate and construction signs allowed pursuant to Table 8.01-1 (Sign Regulation Matrix) of this Division.

M. Home Occupation Signs. Signs attached to the exterior wall of a dwelling, at or near the building entrance, which identify a legally established home occupation conducted therein, not to exceed one sign per dwelling, maximum 18 inches square in size, and mounted at eye level, no higher than 6 FT above finished floor of the dwelling, measured at the top edge of the sign.

8.01.015: Prohibited Signs

The following signs and circumstances are expressly prohibited within the City, except as otherwise provided by this Division:

A. Any sign not specifically allowed by this Division; however, nothing in this Division shall be construed to prohibit any sign, notice, or advertisement required by Federal, State, or local laws.

B. Billboards, including vehicle-mounted billboards (roving or stationary), excepting [i] billboards established pursuant to a Billboard Relocation Agreement, implemented pursuant to Section 4.02.010 (Billboard Relocation Agreements); and [ii] billboards located within the ONT zoning district, established pursuant to the requirements of Table 8.01-1 (Sign Regulations Matrix) of this Development Code.

C. Rotating, revolving, or otherwise moving signs designed to attract attention by visual means through the movement or semblance of movement of the whole or any part of the sign, including rotation, special lighting or wind actuated devices, and signs that flash, blink or reflect light by means of a glossy, polished, or mirrored surface, excepting barber poles, time and temperature signs, and electronic message displays allowed pursuant to Paragraph C.3 (Electronic Message Displays) of this Section.

Ontario Development Code Page 8.01-3 (Rev. 02.17.2026)

Division 8.01—Sign Regulations

D. Searchlights, open flames, or loudspeakers used to call attention to a product, service or property.

E. Signs that float in the air, such as signs affixed to, or printed on, hot air balloons, helium balloons, or kites, inflated signs, and any other type of aerial sign, except as temporary signs or displays allowed pursuant to Table 8.01-1 (Sign Regulation Matrix) of this Division.

F. Banner signs, except as temporary promotional or special event signs allowed pursuant to Table 8.01-1 (Sign Regulation Matrix) of this Division.

G. Signs that emit or amplify any sounds or noise.

H. Signs illuminated by lighting that changes in color or intensity of color, excepting electronic message displays allowed pursuant to Paragraph C.3 (Electronic Message Displays) of this Section.

I. Signs that generate particulate matter, including but not limited to, bubbles, smoke, fog, confetti or ashes.

J. Swooper signs, except as temporary promotional or special event signs allowed pursuant to Table 8.01-1 (Sign Regulation Matrix) of this Division.

K. Signs placed on, affixed to, or erected on or over public rights-of-way, excepting street banners allowed pursuant to Subsection 8.01.025.G (Street Banner Program and Street Banners) of this Division.

L. Signs that identify or advertise a product or service not available on the premises, excepting offsite real estate signs allowed pursuant to Table 8.01-1 (Sign Regulation Matrix) of this Division.

M. Signs erected on roofs, or that project above the eave, parapet line or roofline, or above a canopy of a building.

N. Internally illuminated signs with a directly exposed source of light.

O. Lit borders consisting of neon or LED fixtures, which are affixed around the interior or exterior perimeter of windows, excepting holiday and/or seasonal lights and displays allowed pursuant to Subsection 8.01.010.K of this Division.

P. Externally illuminated signs where the source of light is directly visible to pedestrians or vehicular traffic.

Q. Signs that emit or reflect light by means of direct fluorescence, phosphorescence, or "day- glow" colors.

R. Signs that obstruct the visual lines of sight at corners or intersections for drivers of motor vehicles.

S. Signs that may obstruct the free use of any exit, entrance, window, vent, emergency access, fire lane, fire hydrant, or standpipe.

T. Signs that may interfere with, obstruct, confuse, or mislead pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

(Rev. 02.17.2026) Page 8.01-4 Ontario Development Code

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▸Contents — Ontario Municipal Code
Ontario Municipal Code
  1. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  2. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  3. Chapter 1 — CITY COUNCIL
  4. Chapter 1 — BUSINESS LICENSING REGULATIONS
  5. Chapter 1 — AMBULANCES (REPEALED)
  6. Chapter 22 — PROHIBITIONS AGAINST CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC
  7. Chapter 22 — PROHIBITIONS AGAINST CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEV…
  8. Chapter 1 — ADVERTISING DISTRIBUTION
  9. Chapter 1 — ANIMALS AND FOWL
  10. Chapter 1 — AIRPORT RULES AND REGULATIONS
  11. Title 8 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
  12. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUILDING CODE
  13. Chapter 1 — DEVELOPMENT CODE
  14. Chapter 1 — PARKS, PARKWAYS, AND TRAILS
  15. Division 1.01 — Development Code Enactment, Consistency and Se…
  16. Division 1.02 — Development Code Interpretation and Enforcement
  17. Division 2.01 — Planning Agency
  18. Division 2.03 — Public Hearings
  19. Division 2.04 — Appeals
  20. Division 2.05 — City Initiated Modification or Revocation
  21. Division 2.06 — Performance Guarantees
  22. Division 3.02 — Nonconforming Signs
  23. Division 4.01 — Legislative Actions
  24. Division 4.02 — Discretionary Permits and Actions
  25. Division 4.03 — Ministerial (Administrative) Permits and Decis…
  26. Division 5.01 — Zoning Districts and Boundaries
  27. Division 5.02 — General Land Use Provisions
  28. Division 5.03 — Supplemental Land Use Regulations
  29. Division 6.01 — District Standards and Guidelines
  30. Division 6.03 — Off-Street Parking and Loading
  31. Division 6.04 — Congestion Management and Trip Reduction
  32. Division 6.05 — Landscaping
  33. Division 6.07 — Reserved
  34. Division 6.08 — Development Projects and Subdivisions
  35. Division 6.09 — Reserved
  36. Division 6.10 — Reserved
  37. Division 6.11 — Shopping Cart Retention and Storage
  38. Division 7.01 — Historic Preservation
  39. Division 8.01 — Sign Regulations
  40. Division 9.01 — Definitions
  41. Division 9.02 — Glossary
  42. Division 1.02 — Development Code Interpretation and Enforcement
  43. Division 1.02 — Development Code Interpretation and Enforcement
  44. Division 1.02 — Interpretation and Enforcement
  45. Division 1.02 — Interpretation and Enforcement
  46. Division 1.02 — Interpretation and Enforcement
  47. Division 2.05 — City Initiated Modification or Revocation
  48. Division 2.02 — Application Filing and Processing
  49. Division 2.05 — City Initiated Modification or Revocation
  50. Division 2.05 — City Initiated Modification or Revision
  51. Division 2.05 — City Initiated Modification or Revision
  52. Division 2.05 — City Initiated Modification or Revision
  53. Division 2.05 — City Initiated Modification or Revision
  54. Division 2.05 — City Initiated Modification or Revision
  55. Division 3.01 — Nonconforming Lots, Land Uses, and Structures
  56. Division 3.01 — Nonconforming Lots, Land Uses, and Structures
  57. Division 3.01 — Nonconforming Lots, Land Uses and Structures
  58. Division 4.03 — Ministerial (Administrative) Permits and Decis…
  59. Division 4.03 — Ministerial (Administrative) Permits and Decis…
  60. Division 4.03 — Ministerial Permits and Decisions
  61. Division 6.02 — Walls, Fences and Obstructions
  62. Division 6.06 — Street Naming and Address Numbering
  63. Division 6.02 — Walls, Fences, and Obstructions
  64. Division 6.06 — Street Naming and Street Address Numbering
  65. Division 8.01 — General Sign Provisions
  66. Division 8.01 — General Sign Provisions

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